Chapter 7

Settling In

As it turned out, the Japanese Potter Manor was located on the outskirts of Wizarding Tokyo. Wizarding Tokyo was a hidden area inside of the main city, but was no were near as densely populated as the city itself. Because of this, there were many large residences. Most of the wizards and witches of Wizarding Tokyo had jobs in the main city. Unlike others of the main city, they did not have to live in small apartments. In fact, Wizarding Tokyo seemed to be a mix of Hogsmead, Diagon Alley, and Godric's Hollow.

For the first twenty four hours, Alex had been unresponsive. He had gone about setting up his bedroom to his liking, and hadn't spoken a word or eaten a single bite of food. His family was growing concerned until Alex had stepped outside, seen clear sky, and seemingly woken up from his dreamlike state only to become shocked that he was no longer in Forks. In fact, Alex hadn't even realized that he had been on a plane or unpacked his things. It was as if he had completely blacked out for that time.

"Are you feeling better now?"

Edward had moved to stand with Alex on the balcony overlooking the inner garden. The second the sunlight hit his skin it began to sparkle like diamonds.

"I…suppose. It's still shocking though. Through all my years at school it was always Harry or Draco that were wanted by some evil organization. Now it's me."

"I imagine that Aro would want them as well. He would certainly want Luna. After all, they are wizards and they have special gifts. He would even want Neville."

When Alex heard his brother's name he looked back out over the garden, where Neville was tending to the magical plants that had become overgrown and in some cases…violent.

"I can't let them get my family Edward. I won't lose them. I won't let them be controlled. They deserve their freedom."

"There is nothing you can do but let us protect you."

Intense fury rose up inside of Alex.

"I am not going to sit back and let my family protect me. I've always been the weakest. It's why I've always depended on my physical strengths in battle. I won't sit back and be protected anymore Edward. If it comes down to a fight, then I will fight and I will win because I can't afford to lose."

Alex turned quickly, fingers tightening on the railing, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.

"I won't let anyone else get hurt protecting me."

Edward frowned as he caught glimpses of a boy in Alex's mind. The boy looked a lot like Alex, but his eyes where green and his hair was cut differently. Alex stood beside the boy in the vision. The two were happy and laughing. Then the scene changed and the other boy was in front of Alex, and falling into Alex's arms. Then the boy's green eyes looked up at Alex. They were empty…dead.

"Who was that boy?"

Tears came unbidden to Alex's eyes.

"My twin brother. He stood up for me, and he was killed for it." Alex turned away quickly, hiding the tears that had turned to rivers flowing from his eyes. "He had taken the dark mark. He had become a spy so that he could protect me. I watched as my father killed him for betraying him."

A deep growl came from Edward's lips. "I'll kill that man for the pain he put you through."

Alex shook his head. "It is too late. I snuck into their home one night. The wards hadn't changed and they allowed me in easily because I was blood. That night I slit my stepmother's throat so that her screams wouldn't awaken my father. Then I cut out my father's heart. I burned down the house. I took the heart with me…I cooked it…and I ate it."

If Edward could have become any whiter…he would have.

"S…seriously?"

Alex turned slowly, looking at Edward as if he had two heads.

"NO! My god Edward, what do you take me for? A cannibal? No!" He laughed softly before looking away. "I did kill them though. If you remember, they were there doing the ritual on me. They turned me into what I am now. When the ritual was interrupted…I was in the incubus form. I did slit my stepmother's throat. I did it with the knife that was being used to carve the cursed marks into my body. But my father's death would have been less violent if it had happened the way I said before."

"What did you do?"

Alex turned back to Edward and took a deep breath.

"I wrapped my arms around him, and I poured all my hate and pain into him. His body burnt to a crisp as I held him. Perhaps…this ability could be my greatest asset when it comes to dealing with the Volturi. But I haven't been able to access it since. Maybe it's because I haven't felt that much pain and hate for anyone since. Perhaps it was only my power for a short time because a gateway was open. Or maybe I just have to learn to accept my other half. I don't know…but if I can get that power back…then the Volturi will not be a problem."

Edward wrapped his arms around Alex, comforting his mate.

"You'll never have to feel that pain ever again. I won't let you. I'll always be here too protect you and too take the pain away."

Alex looked up slowly, a soft blush covering his cheeks.

"Do you promise?"

"I promise with every fiber of my being. I promise with every ounce of my heart. I promise with everything that I am that I will always be here for you, that I will always protect you, and that I will always love you."

Alex felt a heat rise up inside of himself. He slowly moved closer to Edward before kissing his lips softly.

The kiss was tender, and shy. It was filled with years of pain and desperation. It was filled with hope that perhaps…happiness would be found.

Alex pulled away slowly before turning back to his bedroom. He grabbed Edward's hand and tugged lightly.

"Lay with me. I'm exhausted and I don't want to be alone."

Edward smiled softly. "Of course."

It was a silent agreement that Alex would never have to sleep alone again, that Edward would always be there to protect him.

Getting Ready for the Holidays

It was shortly after a potions master had made a potion that would hide the vampires…sparkling disposition; that the family had begun to explore their new environment. Considering that it was December…this was a good thing.

Alex, the last remaining member of the Crawford family…and therefore Lord Crawford…had recently gotten a neat little card that was connected to his Gringotts bank account. Instead of having wizarding money changed into yen, all Alex needed to do was hand over the card.

Alex took a deep breath and looked at the list that he was holding before him.

Harry – Kitsune familiar* (Already hidden away at Gringotts)

Draco – Japanese Dragon Hatchling.* (Already hidden away for Christmas in Gringotts Vault)

Neville – Indestructible garden tools. (Hidden in closet and already wrapped)

Luna – Tickets to an upcoming anime convention

Remus – 'A Guide to Your Pregnant Mate and Raising Newborn Cubs'

Sirius – male pregnancy potion

Carlisle – classes at the Wizarding Medical Institute

Esme – magical paint set

Rosalie – Those shoes she was looking at in Wizarding Tokyo but couldn't afford.

Alice – Tickets to an upcoming anime convention.


Jasper – Katana (Found one from 1432. Looks like new. Used magic to make sure the date was accurate.)

Emmett – Twenty of the latest video games, spelled to have text and vocals in English.

Edward - ???

Alex had finished shopping for everyone but Edward. The two of them had become very close since Halloween, and Alex knew that he was not only falling in love, but that he had fallen hard, hit his head, and refused to wake up from the blissful coma induced dream that was being Edward Cullen's mate.

Something inside of Alex twisted and turned. Something that had been happening often. The incubus inside of him had become closer to him. The two were slowly becoming one in the same. Alex took a deep breath, finally knowing what would be the perfect gift for Edward.


AUTHOR'S NOTE: A Kitsune is a fox. Japanese Dragon Hatchling. The Japanese dragon is snake like, though it has legs and horns. They are covered in feather like scales and fly without wings. The hatchling would be about one foot in length and one inch in diameter.

Next Chapter will reach Christmas!